HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.0 Staff Report 11.20.2006BUILDING & PLANNING DEPARTMENT
November 20, 2006
Wagon Wheel Consulting
c/o Cody Smith
111 East 3'd Street, Suite 213
Rifle, CO 81650
RE: Williams Parachute to Noble Pipeline
Dear Mr. Smith,
Staff has reviewed the Williams Parachute to Noble Pipeline ROW Application deemed complete
on November 1, 2006.
Staff understands this project generally consists of the construction of 7.3 miles of a 12 -inch steel
high pressure natural gas gathering pipeline, approximately 3.5 miles of 16 -inch steel low pressure
natural gas gathering pipeline and approximately 3.5 miles of a 4 -inch produced water gathering
pipeline. The pipelines are to all be located in the same trench for the first 3.5 miles south of the
Town of Parachute while the 12 -inch high pressure natural gas gathering pipeline is to continue
north under the Colorado River as well as under the Union Pacific and 1-70 Rights-of-way. The
pipeline will be located on private property for most of the 7.3 miles, however 8,334 linear feet
(1.58 miles) will be located along County Road 300 Right -of -Way. At the east end of the pipeline
on County Road 300 Right -of -Way, there is to be a bore under the roadway to continue the
pipelines north toward the Colorado River. All private property requiring a surface use agreement
has been signed and delivered to the County and are in place. The Garfield County Road and
Bridge Department has provided the "Special Provisions for Pipeline" utility permit (See Exhibits A
and B) for consideration with this Administrative Pipeline Permit. Staff has included the adherence
to the "Special Provisions for Pipeline" utility permit as a condition of approval for this
Administrative Pipeline Permit.
The 3.5 mile, 16 -inch low pressure pipeline is intended to convey untreated natural gas gathered
from an existing compressor station south of the Town of Parachute and deliver it to a tie-in point
in Section 24 on Williams' existing pipeline to bring the gas to additional existing treating facilities
for processing. The 16 -inch low pressure natural gas gathering pipeline will maintain 150 PSI.
The 7.3 mile, 12 -inch high pressure pipeline is to carry natural gas from an existing compressor
station south of the Town of Parachute to a tie-in point 7.3 miles north to an existing Williams'
pipeline. The 12 -inch high pressure natural gas gathering pipeline will maintain 900-1000 PSI.
The 3.5 mile, 4 -inch water line is to act as a gathering and/or distribution pipeline. The intention is
for the pipeline to collect produced water from the Noble wells (William's fee wells) as well as
distribute water for continued drilling and completion activities.
Staff also understands that this pipeline project will require a 100 foot -wide right-of-way on private
land during construction which will reduce to a 50 foot -wide permanent right-of-way after
construction is finished. In addition, it is staff's understanding that the only above ground facilities
108 8th Street, Suite 201, Glenwood Springs, Colorado 81601
(970) 945-8212 (970) 285-7972 Fax: (970) 384-3470
for these pipelines will be multiple above ground valve sets where the proposed gas pipelines will
tie into existing pipelines. The applicant is expecting a total construction time of 10 weeks following
approval of all permits.
Upon an initial review, the Application was deemed technically complete on November 1, 2006 and
has been substantively reviewed against the submittal requirements required in Resolution 2005 —
53 and required in Section 9.07 of the Zoning Resolution of 1978, as amended. This letter shall
constitute Garfield County's review of the project. The vicinity of the pipeline in the County is
identified by the map below with a box delineating the general area. The map on the next page
shows the location of the proposed low pressure lines as well as the proposed high pressure line.
It is staffs opinion that this Administrative Review Permit meets the requirements set forth in
Section 9.07.06 "Development Plan Review Standards and Criteria for Approval" of the Garfield
County Zoning Resolution of 1978 as Amended as long as the conditions listed below are satisfied.
2
RED Solid - Proposed
High Pressure Line (12 -
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BLUE Dashed - Proposed
Low Pressure Lines (4 -Inch
Water Gathering and 16 -inch
Natural Gas Gathering Lines)
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Staff referred the Application to the following Agencies / Departments whose comments are
included here for review and attached to this letter which is required by Resolution 2005 — 53. In
addition, the applicant provided proof that the application was sent to all affected land owners for
comment. :
A. Town of Parachute: No comments received.
B. Grand Valley Fire Protection District: No comments received.
C. Garfield County Road and Bridge Department: Jake Mall and Marvin Stephens of the
Garfield County Road and Bridge Department submitted a letter and conditions for the
pipeline and a pipeline addition which are both contained in this development review permit
(Exhibit A and Exhibit 8). The Garfield County Road and Bridge Department is
recommending approval with "adherence to all provisions specified by the issued utility
permit. "
D. County Vegetation Management Staff consulted with the Director and comments are
incorporated here and as conditions of approval (See Exhibit D):
1. The applicant shall construct a washing station that will wash vehicles and equipment
prior to entering and exiting the work site. Please contact the Garfield County
Vegetation Manager at 625-8601 when the stations are on site.
2. The Applicant shall provide the County with a revegetation security in the amount of
$2500.00 per acre disturbed on private land. In order to calculate the total revegetation
necessary for this pipeline project, the applicant shall quantify the surface area in acres
for the parts of the pipeline that is on private property prior to the issuance of any
Garfield County permits. Additionally, the Applicant shall submit the original tags from
each seed bag. The seed mix in the Plan shall match the seed mix used in the field.
Seed mix containing yellow sweet clover (Melilotus offcinalis) or annual yellow
sweetclover (M. indicus) shall not be used. The amount of seed specified to be planted
in the Plan shall match the quantity of seed used in the field. The security shall be held
by Garfield County until vegetation has been successfully reestablished according to
the Reclamation Standards in the Garfield County Weed Management Plan. It is the
responsibility of the applicant to contact the County, upon successful revegetation
establishment, to request an inspection for security release consideration.
E. County Oil & Gas Liaison: No Comments Received
E County Sheriff Department: Indicated they had no comments to offer on the project. (See
Exhibit C)
G. Affected Property Owners: No Comments Received
4
P/ tee /M, -
Determination of Review
Upon substantive review of the documents submitted, Staff has made a determination of Approval
with Conditions for the Williams Parachute to Noble Pipeline. The specific conditions include the
following:
1. Any equipment used in construction or operation of a pipeline must comply with the
Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission Rules and Regulations, Section 802,
Noise Abatement. Additionally, all power sources used in pipeline operations shall have
electric motors or muffled internal combustion engines.
2. Pipeline operations shall be located in a manner to minimize their visual impact and
disturbance of the land surface. Facilities shall be painted in a uniform, non -contrasting,
non -reflective color, to blend with the adjacent landscape. Right-of-way shall be located in
existing disturbed areas unless safety or visual concerns or other adverse surface impacts
clearly dictate otherwise.
3. All "special provisions" specified in the Garfield County Road and Bridge Department's
utility permit must be satisfied (See Exhibit A and Exhibit B).
4. All access and oversize or overweight vehicle permits shall be obtained from the County
Road & Bridge Department prior to beginning operation. Any new roads or intensified
driveway accesses created as a result of the pipeline construction, intended to be
permanent for maintenance and repair operations shall be placed behind a locked gate or
other barriers preventing use by recreational vehicles. Any gates or barriers need to be
consistent with the surface owner's preferences.
5. Revegetation along the pipeline corridor and along the County Road for the crossings shall
be required to be approved by Garfield County Vegetation Manager and the ROW
restoration will be approved by Garfield County Road & Bridge Department representative.
6. All vehicles working within Garfield County Right of Ways will be licensed and registered in
the State of Colorado. All vehicles hauling equipment and materials for the pipeline
construction will abide by Garfield County Road & Bridge Departments oversize%overweight
regulations. All vehicles requiring an oversize%overweight permit will send a letter showing
proof that they can operate under a known bond holder on file with Garfield County Road &
Bridge Department before a permit will be issued.
7. A ROW survey showing the pipeline location and a traffic control plan will be submitted to
Garfield County Road & Bridge Department prior to starting the project. In addition, the
applicant shall provide digital "as -built" drawings to be provided to the County upon
completion.
8. The applicant shall construct a washing station that will wash vehicles and equipment prior
to entering and exiting the work site. Please contact the Garfield County Vegetation
Manager at 625-8601 when the stations are on site.
9.
The Applicant shall provide the County with a revegetation security for fee lands in the
amount of $2, 500.00 per acre disturbed on private land. The applicant has indicated that
73.17 acres of private land will be disturbed (See Exhibit E). Based on these figures, the
applicant must provide a revegetation security in the amount of $182, 925. The seed mix in
the Plan shall match the seed mix used in the field. Seed mix containing yellow sweet
5
clover (Mel/lotus offcinalis) or annual yellow sweetclover (M. indicus) shall not be used.
The amount of seed specified to be planted in the Plan shall match the quantity of seed
used in the field. The security shall be held by Garfield County until vegetation has been
successfully reestablished according to the Reclamation Standards in the Garfield County
Weed Management Plan. It is the responsibility of the applicant to contact the County, upon
successful revegetation establishment, to request an inspection for security release
consideration.
10. The Applicant shall provide the County with a digital alignment of the pipeline once
constructed in a format readable to the County.
11. In no case shall an operator engage in activities which impact Federal or State threatened
and endangered species.
12. Air contaminant emissions shall be in compliance with the applicable permit and control
provisions of the Colorado Air Quality Control Program, Title 25, Resolution 7, C. R.S.
13. All operations shall comply with all applicable Federal and State Public Health and
Environment, Noise, and Air and Water Quality Control standards.
14. Should an abandoned pipeline be removed, it will be subject to the original revegetation
and weed management requirements in the original application.
Finally, this determination shall not be final, and no permit based upon the determination shall be
issued, for 14 calendar days after the date of the determination (December 4, 2006) in order to
allow time for the Applicant to appeal, or for the Board of County Commissioners to call up the
determination for further review, pursuant to Sections 9.07.08 and 9.07.09 of the Pipeline
Resolution. This determination shall become final, and permits applied for in accordance with the
determination may be issued, only after the expiration of this 14 -day period, and only if the
determination is not reviewed and acted upon by the Board of County Commissioners at a
subsequent appeal or call-up hearing. This determination has been sent to the Board of County
Commissioners to determine if they wish to call up the matter. Staff will let you know if this matter
is called up within the next 14 days.
Do not hesitate to contact this office if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
David Pesnichak
Senior Planner
(970) 945-8212
6
Garfield County J
To: BOCC
Re: Williams Pipeline Request
Date: November 8, 2006
BOCC:
Road and Bridge Department
0567 County Road 352
Williams Gathering Division of Williams Production has requested permission to install
three pipelines in a single trench within the County ROW along Cr. 300 (Parachute Una
Road). The pipelines will include a 12 -inch high pressure gas, a 16 -inch low pressure gas
and a 4 -inch water line to limit the need for water trucks. There will also be a road bore
under Cr. 300 on the east end of the pipeline to turn the pipeline to cross the Colorado
River. The length of the pipeline within the County ROW will be 5625 -feet. The water
line will be cased and vented to atmosphere.
Williams has made many attempts to seek private easement for the installation of this
pipeline and have made agreements with some landowners outside of our ROW, but no
agreements can be reached for this section of the pipeline. For this reason Williams is
requesting permission to install this section of pipelines within the County ROW.
Williams will submit a certified traffic control plan to Garfield County Road & Bridge
Department. No trenches will be left open and certified traffic control will be onsite at all
times during working hours. Williams will repave this section of road with a 4 -inch mat
after completion of the pipeline. The approximate start date for the project is August 1,
2006. The project will be completed with the paving before the frost season.
Garfield County Road & Bridge Department recommends approval of this request with
adherence to all provisions specified by the issued utility permit and any
recommendations made by the BOCC.
Jake B. Mall Marvin Stephens
Administrative Foreman Road and Bridge Director
Garfield County Road & Bridge Dept. Garfield County Road & Bridge Dept.
P O. Box 426
Rifle, CO 81650
Phone: 970-625-8601, Fax: 970-625-8627
Special Provisions for Pipeline
1. Starting Date: Within 14 days after issuance of utility permit by Garfield County
Road & Bridge Department.
2. Completion Date: _90 days after commencement, weather permitting. If
project is not completed within the 90 days the contractor will apply to
Garfield County Road & Bridge Department for an extension to the permit.
3. A letter of credit for construction purposes will be submitted to Garfield County
Road & Bridge Department in the amount of $65,000.00 (Sixty Five Thousand
Dollars). The letter of credit will be held for one year after completion of the
project.
4. Company will furnish on electronic format to Garfield County Road & Bridge
Department an as -built survey upon completion of the project.
5. Contractor will furnish to Garfield County Road & Bridge Department a list of
contact names and numbers of all companies working on the project. Garfield
County Road & Bridge Department will furnish to contractor the same.
6. A traffic control plan will be submitted and approved by Garfield County Road &
Bridge Department prior to permit being issued.
7. The buried depth of the pipeline shall be 60 -inches to top of pipe within County
Right of Way.
8. Cr. 300 (Parachute Una Road) will be kept open to traffic at all times. Traffic
delays of 10 minuets are acceptable, except for emergency vehicles. Road
crossings will be bored. If bore fails 3 times or boring tool becomes stuck, road
way may be cut with special permission of Garfield County Road & Bridge
Department.
9. Affected areas will be graded and shaped to include road surface and barrow
ditches. This will include replacement of road surface with a 4 -inch asphalt mat if
contaminated or deemed necessary by Garfield County Representative. Areas of
construction will be inspected and approved by Garfield County Representative.
10. Backfilling will be with excavated and imported material at 95% compaction with
moisture. Testing intervals will be determined on site by Geo -Tech hired by
contractor and agreed to by Garfield County representative. Test results will be
11. sent to Garfield County Road & Bridge Department, P. O. Box 426, Rifle, CO
81650 to be reviewed and approved by Garfield County engineering department.
12. Rocks exceeding 10 -inches in diameter shall be removed from site. It is the
contractor's responsibility to locate place to discard rocks.
13. Affected areas outside of road driving surface will be reseeded with a mix
submitted by contractor and approved by Garfield County Vegetation Manager.
Contact Steve Anthony at 970-625-8601 Ext. 105 or 970-379-4456. List plant
material, be specific (scientific and common names required). Planting schedule
(to include timing and methods). A map of the area impacted (where the soil will
be disturbed).
14. A letter of credit for revegatation will be submitted to Garfield County Vegetation
Department in the amount of $8000.00 (eight thousand dollars). After initial
planting letter of credit will held for a maximum of two years.
15. Contractor will notify Garfield County Road & Bridge Department 48 hours prior
to starting project and of any problems arising during the project. Contact Jake
B. Mall at 970-625-8601 Ext.104 or 970-618-6194.
16. Garfield County Road & Bridge Department reserves the right to shut the project
down if road damage starts to occur, dust becomes a problem or during inclement
weather that could become a safety issue for the traveling public.
17. Garfield County Road & Bridge Department representative will do a final
inspection upon completion of the project.
18. Vehicles and equipment used by employees constructing the pipeline will be
licensed and registered in the state of Colorado.
19. All vehicles transporting equipment and material used for the project will abide
by Garfield County's oversize/overweight regulations and follow approved haul
routes.
20. A letter of commitment stating that the asphalt replacement will be in place prior
to the frost season.
21. Utility permit will be issued upon approval of an Administrative review process.
Garfield County
To: BOCC
Re: Williams Pipeline Addition Request
Date: November 8, 2006
BOCC:
Road and Bridge Department
0567 County Road 352
Williams Gathering Division of Williams Production has requested permission for an
addition to install three pipelines in a single trench within the County ROW along Cr. 300
(Parachute Una Road). The pipelines will include a 12 -inch high pressure gas, a 16 -inch
low pressure gas and a 4 -inch water line to limit the need for water trucks. There will also
be a road bore under Cr. 300 on the east end of the pipeline to turn the pipeline to cross
the Colorado River. The length of the pipeline within the County ROW will be 2709 -feet.
The water line will be cased and vented to atmosphere.
A land owner that Williams made an agreement with has decided not to allow this section
of pipeline on his property. For this reason Williams is requesting permission to install
this section of pipelines within the County ROW.
Williams will submit an updated certified traffic control plan to include this section of
pipeline to Garfield County Road & Bridge Department. No trenches will be left open
and certified traffic control will be onsite at all times during working hours. Williams will
repave this section of road with a 4 -inch mat after completion of the pipeline. The
approximate start date for the project is October 2006. The project will be completed
before the frost season. Due to asphalt constraints the paving may have to take place in
2007 with necessary road repairs made in 2006.
Garfield County Road & Bridge Department recommends approval of this request with
adherence to all provisions specified by the issued utility permit and any
recommendations made by the BOCC.
Jake B. Mall Marvin Stephens
Administrative Foreman Road and Bridge Director
Garfield County Road & Bridge Dept. Garfield County Road & Bridge Dept.
Special Provisions for Pipeline
Includes addition to original pipeline
1. Starting Date: Within 14 days after issuance of utility permit by Garfield County
Road & Bridge Department.
2. Completion Date: 90 days after commencement, weather permitting. If
project is not completed within the 90 days the contractor will apply to
Garfield County Road & Bridge Department for an extension to the permit.
3. A letter of credit for construction purposes will be submitted to Garfield County
Road & Bridge Department in the amount of $100,000.00 (One Hundred
Thousand Dollars). The letter of credit will be held for one year after completion
of the project.
4. Company will furnish on electronic format to Garfield County Road & Bridge
Department an as -built survey upon completion of the project.
5. Contractor will furnish to Garfield County Road & Bridge Department a list of
contact names and numbers of all companies working on the project. Garfield
County Road & Bridge Department will furnish to contractor the same.
6. A traffic control plan will be submitted and approved by Garfield County Road &
Bridge Department prior to permit being issued.
7. The buried depth of the pipeline shall be 60 -inches to top of pipe within County
Right of Way.
8. Cr. 300 (Parachute Una Road) will be kept open to traffic at all times. Traffic
delays of 10 minuets are acceptable, except for emergency vehicles. Road
crossings will be bored. If bore fails 3 times or boring tool becomes stuck, road
way may be cut with special permission of Garfield County Road & Bridge
Department.
9. Affected areas will be graded and shaped to include road surface and barrow
ditches. This will include replacement of road surface with a 4 -inch asphalt mat if
contaminated or deemed necessary by Garfield County Representative. Areas of
construction will be inspected and approved by Garfield County Representative.
10. Backfilling will be with excavated and imported material at 95% compaction with
moisture. Testing intervals will be determined on site by Geo -Tech hired by
contractor and agreed to by Garfield County representative. Test results will be
11. sent to Garfield County Road & Bridge Department, P. O. Box 426, Rifle, CO
81650 to be reviewed and approved by Garfield County engineering department.
12. Rocks exceeding 10 -inches in diameter shall be removed from site. It is the
contractor's responsibility to locate place to discard rocks.
13. Affected areas outside of road driving surface will be reseeded with a mix
submitted by contractor and approved by Garfield County Vegetation Manager.
Contact Steve Anthony at 970-625-8601 Ext. 105 or 970-379-4456. List plant
material, be specific (scientific and common names required). Planting schedule
(to include timing and methods). A map of the area impacted (where the soil will
be disturbed).
14. A letter of credit for revegatation will be submitted to Garfield County Vegetation
Department in the amount of $11000.00 (Eleven Thousand Dollars). After initial
planting letter of credit will held for a maximum of two years.
15. Contractor will notify Garfield County Road & Bridge Department 48 hours prior
to starting project and of any problems arising during the project. Contact Jake
B. Mall at 970-625-8601 Ext. 104 or 970-618-6194.
16. Garfield County Road & Bridge Department reserves the right to shut the project
down if road damage starts to occur, dust becomes a problem or during inclement
weather that could become a safety issue for the traveling public.
17. Garfield County Road & Bridge Department representative will do a final
inspection upon completion of the project.
18. Vehicles and equipment used by employees constructing the pipeline will be
licensed and registered in the state of Colorado.
19. All vehicles transporting equipment and material used for the project will abide
by Garfield County's oversize/overweight regulations and follow approved haul
routes.
20. All utilities within County right of ways shall be removed at the owners expense
upon request from Garfield County Road & Bridge Department for road
improvements or other construction projects.
21. Utility permit will be issued upon approval of an Administrative review process.
David Pesnichak
From: Jim Sears
Sent: Friday, November 03, 2006 2:50 PM
To: David Pesnichak
Subject: Williams Production RMT Pipeline Administrative Permit
David: After review of the Williams Production RMT Pipeline Administrative Permit, the Sheriff's Office does not have any
comments. The information packet will be returned to your office.
Thank You,
Jim Sears
Emergency Operations Commander
Garfield County Sheriff's Office
970-945-0453
1
MEMORANDUM
To: Dave Pesnichak
From: Steve Anthony
Re: Comments on the Williams Parachute to Noble Pipeline Admin Permit
Date: November 16, 2006
Thanks for the opportunity to comment on this permit.
My comments are as follows:
1. Noxious Weeds
Weed Management -The applicant has provided a weed management plan. The applicant should
be prepared to submit treatment records to the County Vegetation Management Department upon
request.
Weed Control Measures During Construction. The applicant requires that "all vehicles and
equipment arrive at the work site clean, to prevent the importation of noxious weeds from a
previous work site. Only after the Environmental Inspector has determined it to be free of soil,
debris, or other potential sources noxious weeds will any will any equipment be allowed initial
transport or access to the ROW. "
Staff requests that the applicant take this a step further and construct a washing station that will
wash vehicles and equipment prior to entering and exiting the work site. This is especially
critical as both diffuse knapweed and leafy spurge are known to be in the project area and we must
take all possible steps to reduce their spread.
2. Revegetation
Revegetation Plan -The applicant has submitted a revegetation plan that includes a plant materials
list for public lands, for private lands the applicant explains their species selection process under
Section 2.8.1. This is acceptable; however I do request that the applicant refrain from using
Yellow Sweet Cover (Melilotus offrcianlis) under any circumstances. All seed tags must be saved
and made available to the Vegetation Management Department for verification.
Revegetation Security -It is the recommendation of this department that the applicant post a
revegetation security for the parts of the pipeline that is on private property. Please quantify the
surface area disturbed on private land so that we may determine a security amount. The
applicant has gone through this process with Road and Bridge so the revegetation security is
addressed there.
It is recommended that a security of $2500 per acre on private land be held.
The security shall be held by Garfield County until vegetation has been successfully reestablished
according to the Reclamation Standards in the Garfield County Weed Management Plan. It is the
responsibility of the applicant to contact the County, upon successful revegetation establishment,
to request an inspection for bond release consideration.
David Pesnichak
From: Cody Smith [cody@wagonwheelconsulting.com]
Sent: Friday, November 17, 2006 7:59 AM
To: David Pesnichak
Cc: Fred Jarman
Subject: RE: Draft Staff Report - Noble to Parachute
Page 1 of 1
Dave,
The total acreage of disturbance on private land will be 73.17 acres. If you need additional information please let
me know.
Cody W. Smith
Wagon Wheel Consulting
111 East 3rd St, Suite 213
Rifle, CO 81650
Office: 970-625-8433
Fax: 970-625-8435
Cell: 303-902-1532
From: David Pesnichak [mailto:dpesnichak@garfield-county.com]
Sent: Thursday, November 16, 2006 5:02 PM
To: Cody Smith
Subject: Draft Staff Report - Noble to Parachute
Cody,
Please find a draft of the staff report for the Noble to Parachute Admin Permit. Fred should have a chance to
review the report tomorrow and I will forward along the final version ASAP. Please review the conditions and
prepare any necessary documentation. The big piece that needs to be completed prior to the issuance of the
permit is a calculation of the total disturbed acreage on private land in order to calculate the security.
1 hope you have a good weekend. I will be out of the office until Monday.
Best,
Dave
David Pesnichak
Senior Planner
Garfield County
108 8th Street, Suite 401
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Tel: (970) 945-8212
Fax: (970)384-3470
Email: dpesnichak@garfield-county.com
11/20/2006